Former Rocky photog Ellen Jaskol is headed to Afghanistan for 2 1/2 weeks. And then, later this summer, to Pakistan for another 2 1/2 weeks. Sounds like a chapter out of “Holidays in Hell.”
But what sounds dangerous to me sounds great to Jaskol, who, since the Rocky folded last year, has spent time snapping glamour shots for Colorado View magazine and various corporate and private clients.
She’s headed to the danger zones to take pictures of schools and families for Greg Mortenson, author of “Three Cups of Tea,” the story of how he built schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Mortenson’s next book, “Stones into Schools,” tells of building more schools in Afghanistan. Jaskol’s pics will be used to illustrate his efforts through his Central Asia Institute.
Jaskol met Mortenson last year at the Journey of Hope Concert at Red Rocks. They must have hit it off, because the call came to travel and Jaskol was immediately on board.
So, is she nervous?
“I’m only nervous about the job I do and if my equipment will work. I am very excited,” Jaskol says.
But, uh, it’s not exactly Club Med over there.
“We’re going to be taken well care of,” Jaskol says. “We’re surrounded by communities that want us there, and they’ll protect us.”
I told her she was sounding like George W. Bush.
Her husband, Steve Katich, and her family are supportive.
“I think it’ll be just unbelievable — a life-changing experience,” says Jaskol.
The Arvada Center opens “Two-Fisted Art Attack: A Denny Dent Retrospective” on Thursday — a free look at the energetic, splashy portraits created by the late Dent. He moved to Colorado before he died in 2004 — and many of his giant celebrity portraits hang in Denver homes. In my building, Frank Sinatra oversees the home office of Jim Caruso and Devany McNeil.
Dent first met Colorado at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in the early 1990s — and it was love at first fist. He was our rock ‘n’ roll painter, jumping around the stage, music blaring, throwing paint at a giant canvas until, almost magically, a portrait appeared.
On display will be 50 Dent portraits, including John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger, Martin Luther King Jr. and John Travolta. It’s open through Aug. 29.
Barolo is back.
Blair Taylor calls to say Barolo, his Italian joint on East Sixth Avenue, is up and running again after a two-week break for the staff to visit Italy.
Twelve Baroloans toured Italy and France — and brought back some new dishes that are already on the menu. “We have cool new things for spring, like peas and fava beans, a new baby chicken dish, a new rabbit dish, hand-cut pastas,” says Taylor.
Save me a seat at the bar.
City spirit.
The documentary “Convention” about the DNC in Denver in 2008 — and featuring the Post’s Allison Sherry — opened in NYC on Friday to mixed reviews. New York magazine loved it, calling it “wonderfully counterintuitive.” The NY Post said: “Cinema verite? More like cinema banalite.” . . . Sez who: “The best way out is always through.” Robert Frost
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at .
